SNIP>
>>Sure, it takes a few lines. But minimum lines # clarity.
>
>Sometimes. In the example I gave, I have the impression that the additional IF causes an innecessary increase of complexity.

I don't think an IF...ENDIF, unless it goes beyond a certain number of nesting levels, is ever too complex. In fact, I feel quite strongly the opposite. I even prefer IF...ENDIF to IIF(...).

I know there is a school that truly believes that any "extra" line(s) is the equivalent of added complexity. I just think they are wrong.
Probably it comes down to the idea that I don't write my code for VFP "experts" but rather for average-->lower-skilled VFP developers. The idea being that virtually anyone can then maintain my code.
I acknowledge that VFP "experts" might criticize such code, but I see that as their problem, not mine.

cheers